Thinking of joining a military band.

Lancer873

New Member
I'm only 16 right now, so this is obviously a long ways off, but I've been thinking about possibly joining a military band when I'm older. My parents bring up that I still have to go through basic training and might still be deployed overseas, though if it came down to it I might be able to do those, I was wondering about some of the other things I should know about the military bands. As for which ones, it would probably either be the Air Force or Army band, possibly the Navy though, but I don't think I'd be too interested in the Marines.

As for why I'd want to join in one of the bands, there's several reasons for that. First off, I'm really not a fighting type, I mean really. Squeamish, easily scared, and I'd be more likely to break down into a panic attack than take a life in my first encounter, not to mention I'm not exactly in peak physical condition. I'm also a bit of a humanitarian-for lack of a better word-and would probably get PTS if I was even a UAV operator in the Air Force knowing I was responsible for the deaths of others. In general, I'm not the type of guy who you'd want to even fire a gun, much less kill someone with it.

I've got several other reasons I'm considering it, but those are more personal reasons and mostly unimportant. So anyways, is there anything I should know about being in a military band? Strictness, basic training, etc.?

Also, I know that Army Band members are started out as specialists by default, but What about Air Force and Navy band members?
 
*Deep Breath*

I can answer some questions about the Army band, but I must clear something up first. If you are in the band you will deploy. The military is at war and being deployed is a 100% guarantee. You will deploy into a combat zone where there are people trying to kill you. Even though you will play for military ceremonies and concerts, you will also pull security. You will also travel in military vehicles. There is always a chance one will see combat and you must be prepared to fight. Just because your military job does not mean fighting does not mean you will not see combat. See Jessica Lynch for that example.

Now for the Army band. I know that before you join the Army band, you will audition. If you fail that audition, there is no risk to you. As the Navy goes, you must first join the Navy then tryout for the band. If you fail you will be given the job of "Needs of the Navy."

When you are not deployed, you will do lots of dog and pony show stuff like military ceremonies, concerts, private events for the higher ups, funerals ect ect ect. When you are deployed, you will do those things as well as security details like tower an gate guard.
 
I play the Alto Saxophone, Wallabies.

Thanks a ton Duty Honor Country, I guess this is a bigger thing than I thought. Who knows, I might give it a shot, two years is far enough off for a change in plans after all, and I could handle defensive stuff.

I'm still a tad curious about the Air Force band if anyone knows anything about that, I've considered the Air Force anyways, so that would be interesting.
 
The Marine Corps bandsman operate under the same principal as the Navy Band, enlist first. Their duties in combat include area security and stretcher bearer for the Corpsman. The Cardinal band at 8th and I operates differently.

As the Lieutenant said bandsman in all branches have combat duties.
 
Marine Band

I am currently serving in the Marine Band at Quantico. I have been in for 6 years and hate seeing people be misinformed. To be in the Marine band, you first audition, if you don't make it, then you don't have to enlist or you can change jobs or have another audition later. There are 12 field bands each with it's own mission. Five of the twelve have deployed and will probably deploy in the future. As far as being in "top physical condition," I'm sure each branch will bring you up to their standards, I know the Marine do for sure. Once accepted, you go through boot camp, combat training, then the School of Music, all and all it takes about a year before your first band.

No matter where you decide to go, don't enlist for just playing, because you will be tasked to do other things besides play. I have seen many good musicians do poorly because they were jaded because they couldn't just play.
 
I'm only 16 right now, so this is obviously a long ways off, but I've been thinking about possibly joining a military band when I'm older. My parents bring up that I still have to go through basic training and might still be deployed overseas, though if it came down to it I might be able to do those, I was wondering about some of the other things I should know about the military bands. As for which ones, it would probably either be the Air Force or Army band, possibly the Navy though, but I don't think I'd be too interested in the Marines.

As for why I'd want to join in one of the bands, there's several reasons for that. First off, I'm really not a fighting type, I mean really. Squeamish, easily scared, and I'd be more likely to break down into a panic attack than take a life in my first encounter, not to mention I'm not exactly in peak physical condition. I'm also a bit of a humanitarian-for lack of a better word-and would probably get PTS if I was even a UAV operator in the Air Force knowing I was responsible for the deaths of others. In general, I'm not the type of guy who you'd want to even fire a gun, much less kill someone with it.

I've got several other reasons I'm considering it, but those are more personal reasons and mostly unimportant. So anyways, is there anything I should know about being in a military band? Strictness, basic training, etc.?

Also, I know that Army Band members are started out as specialists by default, but What about Air Force and Navy band members?


Based on all that I have just one question for you.
WHY do you want to join the military at all?

As you are looking into this field you should be atleast a semiproficient player?
Why not just join a civilian band and all these problems will be non problems?


If you are really hell bent on "doing your part" I guess you could ask to play at soldiers memorial services.
This you could do without doing something you by your own account above don´t want to do.. And by that I mean join the military.

//KJ.
 
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Alternatively, become really good at playing and then join the President's Own...that will avoid that small matter of "boot camp" and "combat"...
 
Bec ause they do not takee being in the Marine Corps Seriously, it's another concert to those POG's.
 
Hmm I see. Thats too bad that they have given you that impression of themselves. I can't really comment on that because I haven't known any Marine Musicians. My son is a Soldier/Musician in a division band and I have no doubt that there are at least a few Soldiers in his band that don't take the service as seriously as they maybe should. But that maybe true of the majority of units that you'd find at least one that is the weak link in committment.

I think it depends on why you join in the first place. While my son was at basic training they ask each one why they joined. It saddened my son to hear so many say they didn't really know why or they did it to keep out of jail, for the college money and so on. If you join out of a desire to serve your Country then it will show in everything you do.

I am grateful for each of you that serve :)

To the originator of this thread: One thing to keep in mind while making your decision to join a military band or not is this. You may pass the audition, pass the physical, pass basic or boot and go on to the School Of Music and fail out. The training there is currently 20 weeks long and you have to pass benchmarks and auditions to progress. You go to school with all branches except Air Force. Your instructors are from the various branches too. While my son was there he saw several Marines, and a few Sailors/Soldiers fail out. And the hard truth is you still have a committment to serve out your contract even tho you no longer qualify to be a musician. So you have to chose another MOS that you quality for and there is an opening. If you have any questions let me know, I will try to answer them for you.
 
My son is a 16 (almost 17 year old) christian conservative percussionist who wants to play music and serve his country (as many in our family have). Years into this career, he will of course be interested in marriage/family etc.

Any and all advice, information etc on any and all branches and how things work would be greatly appreciated as he tries to find out all he can so to make a good decision about which direction to go.

Thanks in advance, and to those who are serving or have served - my family thanks you for your service to our country.
 
Wait. The President's Own don't go through boot camp?

Read it brother.

FROM HERE:http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/career_information/learn_more/about_enlistment.htm

Recruit Training (Boot Camp)

Marine Band members are the only members of the U.S. Armed Services not required to undergo recruit training.

The Marine Band's mission is "to provide music and perform such other functions as are directed by the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps." Unlike other Marine Corps musical units, the Marine Band has no assigned secondary combat role, and its members are exempt from all such training. Marine Band musicians report to Washington fully trained to perform their primary duties in the accomplishment of the band’s unique musical mission. Therefore, there is no requirement for band members to undergo recruit training.

New band members are instructed by the Drum Major in appropriate military and band-related subjects. This ongoing process of instruction gives each musician essential knowledge about his or her role in the U.S. Marine Corps.


About the Enlistment

The enlistment process is completed at the applicant’s local Military Enlistment Processing Station. A standard four-year enlistment contract is signed "for duty with the Marine Band only." Marine Band musicians are permanently assigned and may not be transferred to any other unit or location. Upon enlistment, new members are appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant (pay grade E-6) in the United States Marine Corps and receive all pay and benefits commensurate with that grade. They are also subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the rules and articles governing the discipline of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Following enlistment, new members report directly to Washington, D.C. Official travel and shipment of household goods are conducted at government expense


Much different in " The Presidents Own" than being a 55XX in a Division or Wing band that went thru Boot and MCT and has a secondary combat mission. The Presidents Own puts the PO, in POG, even POG's call them POG.
 
Everybody has a job, and today mos or assignment is mostly by choice or by ability.

A long time ago I learned to never dis somebody who suits up.

The one's who have never bothered don't rate very high, though.
 
I see both ways,

On one hand I agree with USMC03. These guys in the PO are given a military rank, a Marine Corps uniform, and are paid the same rate of a senior NCO. It does seem rather unfair that they get all the perks of the Corps and not have to do all the hard work or take the risks of being deployed in Afghanistan.

Should a band member be paid considerably more and treated better than a Marine PFC who is risking his life on some godforsaken hole in Afghanistan? It doesn't seem right, and I certainly understand USMC03 resentment.

On the other-hand, if we did put these guys through boot camp how many would actually graduate? Would we actually have enough boot camp graduates to form a Marine Corps Band? (Ill leave the necessity of having a Marine Corps band as a separate subject). Already getting qualified musicians to join the military is hard enough, putting them through boot camp and the added temptation of working at better paying civilian gigs would discourage people from joining.

My 2 cents...
 
Joining the Army

Hi my name is David and I was wondering if I can join the Army with a GED. Im 17. I finished 9-10 grades and droped out my junior year. But i had a 3.80 GPA all together. I only had like on B and rest were A's. But anyways I was wondering if I can join the Army. I also speack Russian. I'm adopted from russian, so I have dual citizenship. Like I'm a citizen in both countrys. So can i join the Army with a GED?
 
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